Composite Display Cover

ABSTRACT

Implementations for composite display cover are described and provide improved protection and durability to device displays as compared with conventional display protection technologies. The described composite display cover, for instance, utilizes an ultra-thin glass layer with a polymer film applied directly to the glass layer and a hard coat applied to the polymer film. The polymer film, for instance, is applied to the glass layer without an adhesive. Further, the composite display cover can be attached to a display, such as via an adhesive layer that adheres the glass layer to a surface of the display.

BACKGROUND

Devices such as smart devices, wireless devices (e.g., cellular phonesand tablet devices), consumer electronics, and the like can beimplemented for use in a wide range of industries and for a variety ofdifferent applications. Typically, such devices include some form ofdisplay screen for outputting visual content and for receiving input,such as touch input from a user. To accommodate modern devices thatimplement a variety of form factors and functional configurations,display technologies have evolved that seek to provide thin displayprofiles that are also durable. This is particularly challenging forflexible devices, such as folding devices that require a display thatcan fold into different configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the techniques for composite display cover aredescribed with reference to the following Figures. The same numbers maybe used throughout to reference like features and components shown inthe Figures:

FIG. 1 depicts an environment in which techniques for composite displaycover may be employed in accordance with one or more implementations ofthe techniques described herein.

FIG. 2A depicts an implementation of a client device in the context of afolding device in an open orientation in accordance with one or moreimplementations of the techniques described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts an implementation of a client device in the context of afolding device in a folded orientation in accordance with one or moreimplementations of the techniques described herein.

FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged cross section of a display structure thatillustrates various components of the display structure in accordancewith one or more implementations of the techniques described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged cross section of a display structure thatrepresents a variation on the implementation described in FIG. 3 inaccordance with one or more implementations of the techniques describedherein.

FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged partial cross section of the displaystructure that represents a preformed curved implementation inaccordance with one or more implementations of the techniques describedherein.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method of fabricating a composite displaycover and applying the display cover to a display in accordance with oneor more implementations of the techniques described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates various components of an example device that can usedto implement the techniques of composite display cover as describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations for composite display cover are described and provideimproved protection and durability to device displays as compared withconventional display protection technologies. The described compositedisplay cover, for instance, utilizes an ultra-thin glass layer with apolymer film applied directly to the glass layer and a hard coat appliedto the polymer film. The polymer film, for instance, is applied to theglass layer without an adhesive. Further, the composite display covercan be attached to a display, such as via an adhesive layer that adheresthe glass layer to a surface of the display. Generally, by adhering thepolymer film directly to the glass layer without a separate adhesive,increased scratch and abrasion resistance is achieved as compared withconventional display protection techniques that utilize additionaladhesive layers. For instance, typical adhesive layers utilized byconventional display technologies are soft and are thus prone to damagethat results from user contact and/or contact with external objects. Inat least some implementations, the hard coat is implemented utilizing abase material that is impregnated with nanoparticles to increasedurability and/or to optimize a modulus of elasticity of the hard coat.Generally, the various layers of the composite display cover achieve aflexible structure that supports a variety of different displayorientations, such as for foldable devices. Accordingly, by implementinga flexible composite display cover without an additional adhesive layer,the implementations described herein provide increased damage resistancethan is experienced with conventional display technologies.

While features and concepts of composite display cover can beimplemented in any number of different devices, systems, environments,and/or configurations, implementations of composite display cover aredescribed in the context of the following example devices, systems, andmethod.

FIG. 1 depicts an environment 100 in which techniques for compositedisplay cover may be employed. The environment 100 includes a clientdevice 102 that includes a display structure 104 and device components106. Generally, the client device 102 may be implemented in a variety ofdifferent ways, such as a smartphone, a tablet device, a laptop, awearable computing device (e.g., a smartwatch or a fitness tracker), andso forth. These examples are not to be construed as limiting, however,and the client device 102 can be implemented in a variety of differentways and form factors. Further example attributes of the client device102 are discussed below with reference to the device 700 of FIG. 7.

The display structure 104 generally represents functionality for visualoutput by the client device 102 and may optionally be configured toreceive input to the client device 102, such as touch input. The displaystructure 104 includes a display 108 and a composite display cover 110.The display 108 may be implemented according to a variety of differentdisplay technologies, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED),light-emitting diode (LED), liquid-crystal display (LCD), and so forth.The composite display cover 110 represents a set of layers of materialthat are applied to the display 108 and that is fabricated according totechniques for composite display cover described herein, examples ofwhich are detailed below.

The device components 106 generally represent different structural andfunctional components of the client device 102, such as a devicechassis, a printed circuit board (PCB) and various electronic componentssuch as wireless communication components, a camera, a battery,input/output components, and so forth.

FIG. 2A depicts an implementation of the client device 102 in thecontext of a folding device in an open orientation. The client device102 is depicted in an open position 200 including the display structure104 in a planar orientation. Further depicted is a hinge 202 about whichthe client device 102 can be folded to assume a closed (e.g., folded)position. For instance, FIG. 2B depicts the client device 102 foldedabout the hinge 202 to assume a closed position 204. In the closedposition, the display structure 104 is folded internally to the closedposition of the client device 102. Generally, the composite displaycover 110 is adhered to the display 108 and is foldable along with thedisplay 108 to enable the client device 102 to assume a variety ofdifferent orientations. Additionally or alternatively to the closedposition 204 with the display structure 104 folded internally to theclient device 102, the client device 102 may folded outwardly from theopen position 200 such that the display structure 104 is foldedoutwardly and exposed externally to the client device 102.

FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged cross section 300 of the display structure104 that illustrates the various components of the display structure104. For instance, the display structure 104 includes the compositedisplay cover 110 adhered to the display 108. In this particularexample, the composite display cover 110 includes an ultra-thin glasslayer (“glass layer”) 302 with a polymer film 304 coating and a hardcoat 306 applied to the polymer film 304. Generally, the glass layer 302can be implemented using any suitable glass material and thickness, suchas within the range of 30-200 micrometers (μm). Further, the polymerfilm 304 can be formed from a polymer resin such as a colorlesspolyamide (CPI). The polymer film 304 can be applied to the glass layer302 using any suitable application technique, such as polymer solutioncasting, spin coating, dip coating, and so forth. In at least oneimplementation, the polymer film 304 is applied directly to the glass302 with no intervening layers, e.g., no adhesive. For instance, thecomposite display cover 110 does not include an adhesive layer to adherethe polymer film to the glass layer 302. Further, the glass layer 302may be chemically strengthened prior to application of the polymer film304, such as via an ion exchange process.

The hard coat 306 represents a coating configured to reduce damage tothe polymer film 304 that may occur during device usage, such asscratches and abrasion that may result from user contact and/or contactwith other objects. In at least some implementations, the hard coat 306is implemented as a coating material filled with inorganic nanoparticlesthat increase the durability of the hard coat 306 while allowing thehard coat 306 to remain flexible, such as in a folding device scenarioas depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B. Generally, any suitable coating materialmay be utilized as a base material for the hard coat 306, such as aflexible polymer, e.g., an acrylate resin. The hard coat 306, forinstance, may be formed by generating a dispersion that includes apolymerizable material along with inorganic nanoparticles that is thenpolymerized to form the hard coat 306. Further, the inorganicnanoparticles can be included in various amounts, such as at least 50weight percentage (wt %) relative to the base material. In at least oneimplementation, the inorganic nanoparticles are formed from an inorganicmaterial such as silicon dioxide (SiO₂ or silica), indium tin oxide(ITO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), fluorinated tin oxide (FTO), aluminumoxide (Al₂O₃), titanium dioxide (TiO₂) zinc oxide (ZnO), etc. The hardcoat 306 may be applied to the polymer film 304 utilizing a suitablecoating technique, such as solution casting, dip coating, spin coating,and so forth. In at least one implementation, the hard coat 306 has ahigher modulus of elasticity than the polymer film 304. The polymer film304, for instance, has a modulus in the range of 6-7 gigapascals (GPa),and the hard coat 306 has a modulus in the range of 20-30 GPa.

As further depicted in the cross section 300, the composite displaycover 110 is attached (e.g., laminated) to the display 108 via anadhesive layer 308 which includes an optically clear adhesive that bondsthe composite display cover 110 to the display 108. In at least oneimplementation, the display 108 is implemented as a foldable plasticOLED that is flexible to assume a variety of different orientations. Toprovide sufficient rigidity to the display structure 104, the display108 is adhered to a back support 310 via an adhesive layer 312. The backsupport 310 can be formed from a rigid material of suitable flexibility,such as a thin stainless-steel sheet. Although not depicted here, thehard coat 306 may be coated with an anti-fingerprint coating to reducepersistence of fingerprints and other staining substances on the surfaceof the display structure 104.

In at least one implementation, the composite display cover 110 isapplied to the display 108 to optimize the location of a neutral axis ofthe display. For instance, a location of the neutral axis of the display108 can be optimized via application of the composite display cover 110,which may reduce mechanical stress on the display 108 when the display108 is manipulated between different folded positions, such as depictedin FIGS. 2A, 2B.

FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged cross section 400 of the display structure104 that represents a variation on the implementation described in FIG.3. The cross section 400 illustrates various components of the displaystructure 104 discussed in FIG. 3, but in this implementation, thedisplay structure 104 includes a polymer film 304 a on a top surface ofthe glass 302, and a polymer film 304 b on a bottom surface of the glass302. In at least one implementation, the polymer films 304 a, 304 b areapplied directly to the glass 302 with no intervening layers, e.g., noadhesive.

FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged partial cross section 500 of the displaystructure 104 that represents a variation on the implementationsdescribed in FIGS. 3, 4. In this particular implementation, the displaystructure 104 is constructed in a preformed curved shape prior toinstallation on the client device 102. The display structure 104, forinstance, can be formed on a curved mandrel prior to installation on theclient device 102. Generally, by forming the display structure 104 in acurved orientation prior to installation, stress on the displaystructure 104 caused by assuming a folded orientation can be reduced.This implementation of the display structure 104 includes the variouslayers detailed above. In this particular implementation, the curvedorientation may represent a default, stressless orientation of thedisplay structure 104.

The various implementations depicted and discussed above may be combinedand iterated in various ways to provide a wide variety of differentcomposite display covers and display structures to accommodate a varietyof different usage scenarios.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 of fabricating a compositedisplay cover and applying the display cover to a display according tovarious implementations. The order in which the method is described isnot intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number orcombination of the described method operations can be performed in anyorder to perform a method, or an alternate method.

At 602, a polymer film is applied directly to a glass layer without aseparate adhesive. As discussed above, the polymer film can include acolorless material such as a polyamide that is applied using a suitableapplication technique, such as solution casting, dip coating, spincoating, and so forth. Further, the polymer film can be applied to asingle side or both sides of the glass layer. In at least oneimplementation, the glass layer is chemically strengthened prior toapplying the polymer film to the glass layer, such as via an ionexchange process.

At 604, a hard coat is applied to the polymer film. Generally, the hardcoat represents a base material such as an acrylate resin that isimpregnated with particles (e.g., nanoparticles) of a differentmaterial, such as an inorganic material. Further, the hard coat can beapplied to the polymer film using a suitable application technique, suchas solution casting, dip coating, spin coating, and so forth.

At 606, the glass layer is adhered to a display. The glass layer,polymer film, and hard coat, for instance, make up a composite displaycover that is attached to a display, such as via an optically clearadhesive.

At 608, the display is attached to an apparatus. In at least oneimplementation, a backing support layer (e.g., a stainless-steel layer)is attached to the display opposite the composite display cover and inconjunction with attachment to an associated device, such as the clientdevice 102.

In at least one implementation, the method 600 can be performed with thevarious components (e.g., the display 108 and the composite displaycover 110) in a curved (e.g., folded or partially folded) orientation togenerate the display structure 104 in a curved orientation. Forinstance, in such an implementation, the curved orientation represents adefault unstressed orientation of the composite display cover 110 and/orthe display structure 104.

In addition to providing protection and durability to the display 108,the composite display cover 110 can be utilized to optimize a neutralaxis location of the display 108. For instance, applying the compositedisplay cover 110 to the display 108 can shift a location of the neutralaxis (e.g., an axis across a width of the display 108) to reduce stresson the display 108 that may occur when the display structure 104 ismanipulated between different folded and unfolded orientations.

FIG. 7 illustrates various components of an example device 700, in whichaspects of composite display cover can be implemented. The exampledevice 700 can be implemented as any of the devices described withreference to the previous FIGS. 1-6, such as any type of a wirelessdevice, mobile phone, client device, companion device, paired device,display device, tablet, computing, communication, entertainment, gaming,media playback, and/or any other type of computing and/or electronicdevice. For example, the client device 102 described above may beimplemented as the example device 700.

The device 700 includes communication transceivers 702 that enable wiredand/or wireless communication of device data 704 with other devices. Thedevice data 704 can include any type of audio, video, and/or image data.Example communication transceivers 702 include wireless personal areanetwork (WPAN) radios compliant with various IEEE 702.15 (Bluetooth™)standards, wireless local area network (WLAN) radios compliant with anyof the various IEEE 702.11 (WiFi™) standards, wireless wide area network(WWAN) radios for cellular phone communication, wireless metropolitanarea network (WMAN) radios compliant with various IEEE 702.16 (WiMAX™)standards, and wired local area network (LAN) Ethernet transceivers fornetwork data communication.

The device 700 may also include one or more data input ports 706 viawhich any type of data, media content, and/or inputs can be received,such as user-selectable inputs to the device, messages, music,television content, recorded content, and any other type of audio,video, and/or image data received from any content and/or data source.The data input ports may include USB ports, coaxial cable ports, andother serial or parallel connectors (including internal connectors) forflash memory, DVDs, CDs, and the like. These data input ports may beused to couple the device to any type of components, peripherals, oraccessories such as microphones and/or cameras.

The device 700 includes a processor system 708 of one or more processors(e.g., any of microprocessors, controllers, and the like) and/or aprocessor and memory system implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC) thatprocesses computer-executable instructions. The processor system may beimplemented at least partially in hardware, which can include componentsof an integrated circuit or on-chip system, an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), and other implementations insilicon and/or other hardware. Alternatively or in addition, the devicecan be implemented with any one or combination of software, hardware,firmware, or fixed logic circuitry that is implemented in connectionwith processing and control circuits, which are generally identified at710. The device 700 may further include any type of a system bus orother data and command transfer system that couples the variouscomponents within the device. A system bus can include any one orcombination of different bus structures and architectures, as well ascontrol and data lines.

The device 700 also includes computer-readable storage memory 712 (e.g.,memory devices) that enable data storage, such as data storage devicesthat can be accessed by a computing device, and that provide persistentstorage of data and executable instructions (e.g., softwareapplications, programs, functions, and the like). Examples of thecomputer-readable storage memory 712 include volatile memory andnon-volatile memory, fixed and removable media devices, and any suitablememory device or electronic data storage that maintains data forcomputing device access. The computer-readable storage memory caninclude various implementations of random access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), flash memory, and other types of storage media in variousmemory device configurations. The device 700 may also include a massstorage media device.

The computer-readable storage memory 712 provides data storagemechanisms to store the device data 704, other types of informationand/or data, and various device applications 714 (e.g., softwareapplications). For example, an operating system 716 can be maintained assoftware instructions with a memory device and executed by the processorsystem 708. The device applications may also include a device manager718, such as any form of a control application, software application,signal-processing and control module, code that is native to aparticular device, a hardware abstraction layer for a particular device,and so on.

In this example, the device 700 includes one or more antennas 720 fortransmitting and receiving wireless signal. Generally, the one or moreantennas 720 may represent multiple antennas positioned at variousregions of the client device 102 described above.

In this example, the device 700 also includes a camera 722 and devicesensors 724, such as a temperature sensor to monitor device componentoperating temperatures (to include the antenna modules 720), and devicesensors such as may be implemented as components of an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU). The device sensors 724 can be implemented withvarious motion sensors, such as a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and/orother types of motion sensors to sense motion of the device. The motionsensors can generate sensor data vectors having three-dimensionalparameters (e.g., rotational vectors in x, y, and z-axis coordinates)indicating location, position, acceleration, rotational speed, and/ororientation of the device. The device 700 can also include one or morepower sources 726, such as when the device is implemented as a wirelessdevice or collaborative device. The power sources may include a chargingand/or power system, and can be implemented as a flexible strip battery,a rechargeable battery, a charged super-capacitor, and/or any other typeof active or passive power source.

The device 700 can also include an audio and/or video processing system728 that generates audio data for an audio system 730 and/or generatesdisplay data for a display system 732. The audio system and/or thedisplay system may include any devices that process, display, and/orotherwise render audio, video, display, and/or image data. Display dataand audio signals can be communicated to an audio component and/or to adisplay component via an RF (radio frequency) link, S-video link, HDMI(high-definition multimedia interface), composite video link, componentvideo link, DVI (digital video interface), analog audio connection, orother similar communication link, such as media data port 734. Inimplementations, the audio system and/or the display system areintegrated components of the example device. Alternatively, the audiosystem and/or the display system are external, peripheral components tothe example device.

The display system 732 includes a display structure 736, whichrepresents an implementation of the display structure 104 detailedabove. The display structure 736, for example, includes the display 108and the composite display cover 110 which may be generated andimplemented in various ways, examples of which are presented in thepreceding discussion.

Although implementations of composite display cover have been describedin language specific to features and/or methods, the subject of theappended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features ormethods described. Rather, the specific features and methods aredisclosed as example implementations of composite display cover, andother equivalent features and methods are intended to be within thescope of the appended claims. Further, various different examples aredescribed, and it is to be appreciated that each described example canbe implemented independently or in connection with one or more otherdescribed examples. Additional aspects of the techniques, features,and/or methods discussed herein relate to one or more of the following:

An apparatus including: a housing with internal components situatedtherein; a display attached to the housing; and a composite displaycover attached to the display, the composite display cover including: aglass layer adhered to the display; a polymer film applied directly tothe glass layer; and a hard coat applied to the polymer film oppositethe glass layer.

In addition to the above-described apparatus, any one or more of thefollowing: wherein the display and the composite display cover arefoldable to assume a folded orientation; wherein the hard coat has ahigher modulus of elasticity than the polymer film; wherein thecomposite display cover does not include a separate adhesive layerbetween the polymer film and the glass layer; wherein the polymer filmis applied to a first side of the glass layer and to a second side ofthe glass layer opposite the first side; wherein polymer film includes acolorless polyamide applied directly to the glass layer; wherein thehard coat includes a base material impregnated with nanoparticles madeof an inorganic substance; wherein the composite display cover isattached to a first side of the display, and wherein the apparatusfurther includes a back support layer attached to a second side of thedisplay opposite the first side.

A composite display cover for attachment to a display, the compositedisplay cover including: a glass layer configured to be adhered to thedisplay; a polymer film attached directly to the glass layer; and a hardcoat applied to the polymer film.

In addition to the above-described composite display covers, any one ormore of the following: wherein the polymer film is attached directly tothe glass layer without a separate adhesive; wherein the compositedisplay cover is foldable into a folded orientation while remainingintact; wherein the composite display cover is formed in a curvedorientation as a default orientation for the composite display cover;wherein the hard coat includes a base material impregnated with silicondioxide particles at a mixture of at least 50 weight percentage; whereinthe polymer film is adhered directly to a first side of the glass layerand a second side of the glass layer opposite the first side, andwithout a separate adhesive to adhere to the polymer film to the glasslayer.

A method for generating a composite display cover for a display, themethod including: applying a polymer film directly to a glass layerwithout a separate adhesive, the glass layer being configured to beadhered to a display; and applying a hard coat to the polymer film.

In addition to the above-described methods, any one or more of thefollowing: wherein the glass layer is chemically strengthened prior toapplying the polymer film to the glass layer; wherein said applying thepolymer film directly to the glass layer includes performing one or moreof solution casting, dip coating, or spin coating to apply the polymerfilm to the glass layer; wherein said applying the polymer film directlyto the glass layer includes applying the polymer film directly to afirst side of the glass layer and second side of the glass layeropposite the first side; wherein the glass layer is formed in a curvedorientation as a default orientation of the glass layer, and wherein thepolymer film and the hard coat are applied in the curved orientation;further including adhering the composite display cover to a display toaffect a position of a neutral axis of the display.

1. An apparatus comprising: a housing with internal components situatedtherein; a display attached to the housing; and a composite displaycover attached to the display, the composite display cover including: aglass layer adhered to the display; a polymer film applied directly tothe glass layer; and a hard coat applied to the polymer film oppositethe glass layer.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein thedisplay and the composite display cover are foldable to assume a foldedorientation.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the hardcoat has a higher modulus of elasticity than the polymer film.
 4. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the composite display coverdoes not include a separate adhesive layer between the polymer film andthe glass layer.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein thepolymer film is applied to a first side of the glass layer and to asecond side of the glass layer opposite the first side.
 6. The apparatusas recited in claim 1, wherein polymer film comprises a colorlesspolyamide applied directly to the glass layer.
 7. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the hard coat comprises a base materialimpregnated with nano articles made of an inorganic substance.
 8. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the composite display cover isattached to a first side of the display, and wherein the apparatusfurther comprises a back support layer attached to a second side of thedisplay opposite the first side.
 9. A composite display cover forattachment to a display, the composite display cover comprising: a glasslayer configured to be adhered to the display; a polymer film attacheddirectly to the glass layer; and a hard coat applied to the polymerfilm.
 10. The composite display cover as recited in claim 9, wherein thepolymer film is attached directly to the glass layer without a separateadhesive.
 11. The composite display cover as recited in claim 9, whereinthe composite display cover is foldable into a folded orientation whileremaining intact.
 12. The composite display cover as recited in claim 9,wherein the composite display cover is formed in a curved orientation asa default orientation for the composite display cover.
 13. The compositedisplay cover as recited in claim 9, wherein the hard coat comprises abase material impregnated with silicon dioxide particles at a mixture ofat least 50 weight percentage.
 14. The composite display cover asrecited in claim 9, wherein the polymer film is adhered directly to afirst side of the glass layer and a second side of the glass layeropposite the first side, and without a separate adhesive to adhere tothe polymer film to the glass layer. 15-20. (canceled)
 21. A compositedisplay cover for attachment to a display, the composite display covercomprising: a glass layer configured to be adhered to the display; afirst polymer film attached directly to a first surface of the glasslayer; a second polymer film attached directly to a second surface ofthe glass layer opposite the first surface of the glass layer; and ahard coat applied to the second polymer film.
 22. The composite displaycover as recited in claim 21, wherein the composite display cover ispreformed in a curved orientation as a default orientation for thecomposite display cover.
 23. The composite display cover as recited inclaim 21, wherein the first polymer film and the second polymer film areattached directly to the glass layer without a separate adhesive. 24.The composite display cover as recited in claim 21, wherein thecomposite display cover is foldable into a folded orientation whileremaining intact.
 25. The composite display cover as recited in claim21, wherein the hard coat comprises a base material impregnated withsilicon dioxide particles at a mixture of at least 50 weight percentage.26. The composite display cover as recited in claim 21, wherein one ormore of the first polymer film or the second polymer film has a modulusin a range of 6-7 gigapascals (GPa), and the hard coat has a modulus ina range of 20-30 GPa.